Sarah Anne Bertagnolli
CEO & President | LSI
What unique strengths do you bring to your professional and other roles?
One of my greatest strengths is my willingness to step into spaces where I may not have all the answers and learn quickly, combined with the ability to connect strategy to execution. Five years ago, I entered government contracting with no prior experience after a 25-year career in the banking industry. That transition required me to build knowledge quickly, operate in ambiguity and translate strategy into actionable plans that deliver results.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that significantly shaped your path?
A pivotal moment in my career was making the decision to leave a 17-year career at Zions Bank, where I was in a senior leadership role, to step into the COO position at LSI. I had reached a point where I knew my next step would require a meaningful risk if I wanted to continue growing as a leader.
Transitioning into a completely new industry, government contracting, was both challenging and energizing. I had to learn quickly, build credibility and lead in an environment where I didn’t have years of experience to rely on. That decision ultimately set me on the path to becoming CEO and reinforced my belief that growth doesn’t come from staying comfortable — it comes from being willing to bet on yourself and step into the unknown.
What’s your next big goal or project in your professional journey?
I am particularly focused on aligning our organization around where federal funding and innovation are heading, creating opportunities not just for LSI, but for the clients and communities we serve.
On a personal level, I will be completing my MBA this summer, which has been an intentional investment in strengthening my financial, strategic and leadership capabilities as we continue to grow. I see it as directly connected to how I show up as a CEO and lead the organization into its next phase.